Crew Vehicle 2 launches from White Mesa!
This is the first automated (uncrewed) launch of the new Crew Vehicle.
The Nebula Rocket carries the crew vehicle up to an apoapsis of 200k…
… then detaches! The first stage turns around, and heads back to Kerbin!
The crew vehicle continues it’s automated course to Spacedock!
“There’s CV2! Mission Control, we’re tracking the Crew Vehicle as on course!”
-Val, Spacedock Commander
CV2 moves in…
… and docks with Spaceport!
Discovery enters Kerbin’s sphere of gravitational influence!
“Discovery we’re tracking you as on course – what’s your situation?”
-Gene, at Mission Control
“Roger Mission Control… Situation nominal, Discovery reactor is at full, engines show green and ready to fire!”
-Jeb
As Discovery reaches a distance of 700km from Kerbin, the 3 nuclear engines fire!
It’s a nearly minute long burn to slow down!
Suddenly, alarm bells ring in the cockpit!
“Temperature on main engines reaching critical! They’re starting to heat up the tri-adapter engine housing!”
-Bob
“We’ve already been captured into orbit, so we can cut thrust safely… Let’s monitor it and cut thrust once it’s just about critical!”
-Jeb
Thankfully the engines don’t explode, and Discovery settles into a clean 700k circular orbit!
“I can’t wait to see Spacedock! It’s supposed to be huge!”
-Bill
Discovery does several manuevers to rendezvous with Spacedock, and finally approaches the station!
“Discovery here! We’re going to coast past Spacedock, then start docking manuevers!”
-Jeb
“Roger that DSV-2… We show you at 150 meters and clear for RCS manuevers!”
-Sean, onboard Spacedock
Discovery slowly drifts past the station until it’s visible out the cockpit!
“Wow! Look at that! And look, Endeavor is docked at the top!”
-Bill
“Yep! We’ll be parking opposite Endeavor!”
-Jeb
Jeb uses RCS orbital thrusters only and slowly matches speed with Spacedock….
…then slowly accelerates toward the station, lining up with the docking port!
“Slowing down… We’re lined up and looking good!”
-Jeb
Discovery moves almost imperceptibly slow until…
With a dull “clunk” and the whir of motors, Discovery makes s connection to Spacedock!
“Welcome home Discovery!”
-Val
Jeb, Bill, and Bob head over to Spacedock to rest before returning to Kerbin with the mountains of data gathered from Jool’s moon Laythe! There is already talk of building a colony there!
Engineers are also finalizing plans for refits and repairs to Discovery!
KSEA launches the next refueling mission to Kerbin Spacedock!
The Modular Refueling Vehicle launches on a versatile Jool Vb rocket!
The spacecraft orbits, then is remotely piloted to a rendevous with Spacedock!
The docking procedure is uneventful – and the new refueling vehicle shows a solid connection with the space station!
Kerbin Spacedock’s redesign now allows 4 of the refueling vehicles docked at the base of the station – and should provide more than enough fuel reserves for KSEA’s growing fleet of Deep Space Vehicles… including Discovery, which will return in just days!
Jeb, Bill, and Bob wake from their Cryo-Sleep on Discovery!
“Wake up everybody! Just 8 days and we’ll be entering Kerbin orbit!”
-Jeb
“I can’t wait to see this new Space Station they built while we were gone!”
-Bill
“It feels like we just left Laythe yesterday!”
-Bob
In Kerbin Orbit, the massive new Spacedock facility is ready for the returning DSV!
“Refueling Discovery should be about the same procedure as Endeavor! They’re different classes of ships technically… but they both run on the same fuel!”
Sean, on Spacedock
After two successful Duna landings it’s time for the Explorer 7 crew to return home! Malcolm performs an EVA to give Duna Spaceport, the Advanced Duna Lander, and the Explorer spacecraft a final inspection before departing!
“Everything looks good out here! This view never gets boring!”
-Malcolm
After boarding Explorer 7, Malcolm detaches the spacecraft…
… and Explorer 7 slowly drifts away from Duna Spaceport!
“There’s only enough fuel reserves for one more landing from the Spaceport! The next mission will need to have a reserve fuel supply or KSEA needs to send another refueling mission out!”
-Dunwin
“Well if you ask me how we get here isn’t as important as getting here! The scientific data we’ve acquired this mission should keep us busy for years!”
-Shepely
As Explorer 7 drifts further and further the departure window is met, and Malcolm fires the spacecraft’s engine!
“All systems are nominal… engine burn to Kerbin nearly complete!”
-Malcolm
As Explorer 7 leaves the Duna system, the crew prepares for their EVA to the Cryonic section to hibernate for the trip home! At KSEA, mission planners are debating how to do the next mission – is it time to send the DSV’s to Duna, or continue with the Explorer program?
A massive Nova Rocket is chosen to launch the next section for the Spacedock upgrade project! Only a Nova could carry both the Modular Refueling Vehicle and the new 4-sided fuel port segment!
The solid rockets detach, and the Nova Rocket carries payload to orbit!
The protective aerodynamic fairing detaches, and the craft begins the slow and dreadfully dull rendevous maneuvers – made quite tiresome by the craft’s massive side and under-powered RCS thrusters!
“We’re gonna need more coffee at Mission Control… this is going to be a long one!”
-Gene
Finally, the segment arrives at Spacedock!
The old refueling vehicle drifts away, while the new section moves in slowly. Engineers plan to use a tug vehicle to bring the segment back to Spacedock… eventually!
The new section is aligned…
…and Spacedock itself is slowly oriented up as the docking maneuver continues… finally connecting!
“Connection seems solid! I think we’re good to start pumping fuel! Someone should probably go bring the Endeavor back!”
-Sean
“Mirphe and I can handle that!”
-Summer
Mirphe and Summer leave in Crew Vehicle 1…
… and dock with Endeavor!
“We’re connected! Summer, you should try piloting the Endeavor!“
-Mirphe
“Oh wow, this thing handles surprisingly well for how big it is! Bringing Endeavor in to dock!”
-Summer
Mirphe detaches the Crew Vehicle and Summer brings the Endeavor in to dock!
Endeavor docks at the new docking segment!
“I’m heading home too!”
-Mirphe
With Endeavor and Crew Vehicle 1 docked, the Spacedock upgrades are (for now) complete! The only thing to add are more modular refueling vehicles to the base!
“Good work up there! Get some rest!”
-Gene, at Mission Control
The new docking section for the Spaceport launches on a Jool V rocket!
This new section is quite similar to the segment it’s replacing, however it adds more docking ports and a viewing cupola at the top. The design follows the new idea to rotate the station vertically.
The second stage and fairing detach, and enter orbit!
The docking segment detaches and rendezvouses with the Spaceport! Engineers there have already detached the old docking port, using DSV-4 Endeavor as a tug to safely move it away from Spaceport!
“Mission Control – we show the docking segment on track to dock. Looking good!”
-Sean, on Kerbin Spacedock
Docking is complete! The first part of the Spaceport makeover is done!
“Now’s the hard part – the new quad-fueling port is going to be a pain to connect!”
-Gene, at Mission Control
At White Mesa, the desert launch facility, the new Mk2 Nebula Rocket is ready for launch!
“After all those simulations with the new Crew Vehicle I’m ready to finally blast off!”
-Mirphe
This will be the first launch for KSEA’s newest pilot, Summer!
“I can’t wait to see Kerbin from orbit!”
-Summer
The KR-84 engine ignites, and Crew Vehicle 1 blasts off!
“All systems nominal… not too bumpy either!”
-Summer
The Nebula Rocket breaks through the clouds, and carries the Crew Vehicle higher and higher!
“CV1 nearing 200k apoapsis – prepare for seperation!”
-Mirphe
The KR-84 throttles down, and the rocket coasts! This will be the first time the Mk2 Nebula Rocket has attempted it’s separate/spin/land maneuver to return to KSC!
“Separating first stage!“
-Mirphe
“First stage is clear! Sensors show it’s onboard systems have already started the flip maneuver!“
-Summer
Once clear of the Crew Vehicle, the Nebula Rocket fires it’s engine – altering it’s trajectory so it lands at the Space Center!
It’s Air Brakes deploy to assist in the landing! They will automatically retract and extend as the craft’s sensors take it in for a landing!
“Crew Vehicle 1 this is Mission Control – we show the Nebula Rocket is on track for a landing at KSC… nice work!”
-Gene, at Mission Control
“OK! Starting rendevous maneuvers for Spacedock!”
-Mirphe
The capable “Poodle” engine starts the first of several burns to take CV1 to Spacedock!
“Looks like we’re in the pipe! Wow, that station is HUGE!”
-Summer
After the required maneuvers, Crew Vehicle 1 arrives at Spacedock!
“Why don’t you do the docking Summer? It’ll be good practice!”
-Mirphe
“Awesome! OK – taking us in!”
-Summer
“Crew Vehicle 1 – this is Station Commander Val – we show you as docked and cleared to come aboard! Welcome to Spacedock!”
-Val
KSEA is excited to announce the Mk2 Nebula Crew Vehicle! The Crew Vehicle itself is a modified version of the original Nebula Crew Vehicle, making a number of minor modifications: the escape/landing rockets were tucked down below the Forward RCS system, and the internal storage system was reconfigured for a more balanced spacecraft.
The Rocket itself is entirely new, and provides a versatile new tool to the Kerbin Space Exploration Administration! Designed to be launched from the Desert Facility, White Mesa – the rocket carries the crew vehicle to an apoapsis of 200k, where the Crew Vehicle detaches. Then, the Rocket does a 180 degrees flip and fires it’s engine… changing it’s landing site to the main Space Center! There it will be recovered, refurbished, transported to the Desert Facility, and prepared for it’s next launch!
“This new rocket is going to give us the ability to quickly deliver crews to and from the Spaceport! It looks a bit less silly than the Mk1 too!”
-Gene
Future iterations of the design should allow multiple Nebula Rockets to be strapped together for heavier lifting capability!
The Space Center is buzzing as multiple projects are underway!
The Nebula Crew Vehicle design is getting a few tweaks, and the launcher has been reworked completely! KSEA promises blueprints will be released shortly! Meanwhile construction has begun on 6 of the spacecraft!
Construction has begun on the next Deep Space Vehicle! So far the craft is a near duplicate of the Endeavor. All that’s needed is a name!
Many pilots are disappointed the Crew Shuttle Program has been permanently cancelled. The decision was made after multiple attempts to add a emergency abort system, which was feasible only during a short window of the launch. Ultimately, this lack of abort options and the inability to carry unique cargo loads were the craft’s undoing!
“That’s ok! Anyway, the cool place to fly now is Laythe!”
-Mirphe
Finally, a new docking section for the Spaceport is nearly complete – the existing one has already proven too cramped, and with more spacecraft expected to dock a rework was needed! The entire station will also be reoriented relative to it’s orbit!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 